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14 Toxic Habits That Are Hurting Your Relationships

14 Toxic Habits That Are Hurting Your Relationships

Navigating relationships isn’t easy. Whether you want better romantic, familial, or platonic connections, you’re going to need to put in the emotional labor, and it’s hard work.

Sometimes though, our less-than-ideal behaviors get the best of us, and we all display certain toxic traits now and then. Obviously, no one wants to hurt the people they love, but that doesn’t mean you’re not damaging your relationships with the following habits:

1 – Minimizing Or Invalidating Other People’s Feelings

When something bad happens, we typically confide in those we love and trust. And surely, just the same, there are people who come to us when they’re upset. The problem is that you might be minimizing or invalidating others’ feelings without realizing it.

Saying “it’s not a big deal” is a big deal, because you’re communicating that you think they’re overreacting. When you make someone doubt themselves by invalidating their emotions, it can make them feel worse. Even unloved or unworthy.

That doesn’t mean you need to agree with them, but it does mean you need to make an effort to acknowledge their feelings.

2 – Not Respecting Boundaries

Healthy relationships have boundaries that are respected. Boundaries can be physical or emotional and can include touching on topics like how you spend your time together, what you feel comfortable doing or not doing, and even what you talk about. When you show respect in this sense, it communicates that you genuinely care.

If you find yourself overstepping, you’re disrespecting someone’s boundaries. And if pushing someone’s limits is normal to you, you may need to rethink how you see other people’s time and space. Your entitlement could be creating discomfort, distance, and damage in your relationships.

3 – Always Having To Be Right

If your need to always be right often shuts down conversations, you probably make people feel unheard. And they might start to see you as cocky, obnoxious, or rude. That goes for new acquaintances as much as it does for old friends or family members.

Admitting that you were wrong or that you made a mistake is essential for growth, and it conveys a sense of respect and acceptance for the opinions of others.

4 – Insulting Others

It’s never okay to intentionally hurt someone, no matter how angry or upset you are. We all know that explicit insults are toxic and just plain mean, but it’s also important to recognize that backhanded compliments and jokes can be just as harmful.

If you make comments like, “I love how you don’t care how you come across,” then causing self-doubt in others probably comes as second nature to you. Purposefully making people feel bad about themselves is toxic, and it will ruin your relationships.

5 – Giving Unsolicited Advice

You might have the best intentions, but when you give unsolicited advice, it often comes across as patronizing. As a general rule, assume that people don’t want your advice, unless they ask for it.

Putting in your two cents on your terms instead of theirs will drive others away out of annoyance. And even though you mean well, your advice could spoil an otherwise healthy relationship.

Written by Interesting Psychology Team

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